Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Willie Penrose

Question:

79 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital programmes contained in the national development plan and funded by her Department that have commenced or will commence in the Westmeath constituency in 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15450/00]

Jack Wall

Question:

85 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new services or extension of existing services contained in the new national development plan funded by her Department which have commenced or will commence in the south Kildare constituency during 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15243/00]

Jack Wall

Question:

86 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital programmes contained in the national development plan and funded by her Department which has commenced in the south Kildare constituency during 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15258/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 85 and 86 together.

The national development plan (NDP) sets out the strategies for Ireland's continuing economic and social development over the period 2000-2006. The plan provides for three national (inter-regional) operational programmes, two of these are the employment and human resources development operational programme and the productive sector operational programme. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the overall managing authority for both programmes. The third operational programme is the economic and social infrastructure operational programme which is under the aegis of the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

The operational programmes will contribute to the overall national objective of the NDP by, continuing sustainable national economic and employment growth; consolidate and improve Ireland's international competitiveness; foster balanced regional development and promote sustainable development through increased social inclusion, more environmentally friendly development and improved economic growth.

Both operational programmes have been submitted to the European Commission and are awaiting approval. The programmes will be supported by programme complements, which will outline in detail the measures under each oper ational programme. The programme complements will be submitted to the monitoring committees, set up under each programme, for approval. The monitoring committees supervise and monitor the implementation of all measures under the operational programmes.

Implementation of the various measures in the operational programmes will be the responsibility of a number of implementation bodies. These bodies, under the aegis of my Department, include IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and FÁS.

County enterprise boards promote micro enterprise development within the national development plan. While the boards are under the aegis of my Department the measures to give effect to their development are contained within the regional operational programmes.